Virgin Australia connects Kiwis with Newcastle

10:58 am

Virgin Australia is upping its game across the Tasman, announcing a new direct service between Auckland and Newcastle, Australia. This is the first time since 2002 that travellers will be able to fly directly between the two cities, opening up a range of travel and tourism opportunities.

Virgin Australia will operate three return services per week during the peak holiday period from 22 November 2018 to 17 February 2019, creating a gateway to the Greater Hunter Region in NSW and the rest of New Zealand. The new service, operated by the airline’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft, will add 13,000 seats between the two destinations over the busy holiday season. This is just the latest announcement in the airline’s progressive roll-out of expanded Trans-Tasman services.

The new Auckland-Newcastle service will make accessing the Hunter Valley wine region and the Central Coast’s pristine beaches decidedly easier for Kiwis.

Scott Tasker, Auckland Airport’s general manager aeronautical commercial, says the launch of the new service is great news for New Zealand and Australian travellers. “With the two countries being each other’s top travel destinations, this service adds yet another convenient direct flight. The service provides more choice for New Zealand travellers wishing to access the Hunter Valley region, and will enable Australian Central Coast residents a new and convenient way to travel to Auckland and the rest of New Zealand.”

In October 2018, Virgin Australia will also launch two other Trans-Tasman routes, between Wellington and Sydney and Queenstown and Melbourne. The new flights between Newcastle and Auckland are on sale now for NZ$169 one way, excluding checked baggage.